Welcome home for Utah Air Guardsmen

After six months of providing security for coalition and noncombatant forces, security for convoys, defending military bases and providing law enforcement duties, 25 Utah Air National Guard airmen came home Saturday from a mission that started on May 16.

The airmen, from the 151st Security Forces Squadron, were late landing at the Utah Air National Guard Base, so family, friends and supporters gathered in a waiting room on base.

"Mommy, where is Daddy?" one boy asked. His mother told him he had to wait for the plane.

While people waited for loved ones, some children ate doughnuts, their smiles made bigger by the frosting. Many of the children wore T-shirts with pictures of their fathers emblazoned on them, proclaiming "My prince has come. I call him daddy," and "My hero."

Brigham Young University fans mingled safely with University of Utah fans — their football rivalry suspended until the plane landed and the airmen returned.

Three generations of one family waited eagerly for Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Neill.

"We're really happy. It's really good timing," said Neill's wife, Jessie, of the return so close to Thanksgiving.

Neill's father, Glen, was happy for his son's return.

"Oh, this is really exciting," he said. "We're glad to get him home."

A voice announced the impending arrival of the C-130.

"Warm up the hugs and kisses," the voice called from the loudspeaker. "They're four minutes out."

A group of bikers, the Patriot Guard Riders, lined up, each holding an American flag, waiting to greet the airmen. They were joined by dignitaries from the base, led by Adj. Gen. Brian Tarbet.

When the plane landed, two firetrucks sprayed an arch of water for the plane to pass through. William Badger of the PGR said the arch was "Air Guard for hello."

After the airmen shook hands with the greeting party and made way for the assembled crowd, the crowd erupted in cheers and whistles.

Staff Sgt. Mike Bechwith met his twin sons, his daughter and wife with a family embrace. His wife couldn't stop crying, too choked up to talk.

One airman, Staff Sgt. Christopher Stevens, was holding his children, Cade, 4, and Savera, 2, in both arms. He said his time in the service was great, but he's not a hero.

"These guys are the real heroes," he said, motioning to his wife, Kristina, and his children, because they held the household together in his absence.

Returning airman Neill said he was "doggone excited" he was home with his family. He returns to a new house, one his wife bought when he was away and has never seen. His daughter, 7-year-old Halley, promised to bake him cookies in her toy oven when they returned home.

Six-year-old Samantha Hooper buried her face in her father's neck, her red eyes telling the tale of her feelings of her airman's homecoming, Tech Sgt. Matt Hooper.

"I'm happy to be home," Hooper said, while Samantha silently cried.

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E-mail: lwilde@desnews.com

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